BT Conference 2025

The Bible Translation Conference 2025 explores implications of ethics in the field.

The biennial Bible Translation Conference was held from 28–31 October in Chiang Mai, Thailand. The event brought together more than 700 practitioners, scholars, researchers, and other key stakeholders in person and online. Established to advance the work of Bible translation both practically and theoretically, this year’s conference focused on the theme “Ethics in Bible Translation.”

The event fosters engagement from a wide range of perspectives, providing a respectful environment for meaningful discussion and exchange. As one of the conference sponsors, SIL affirms its ongoing commitment to advancing collaboration and professional growth within the field. For SIL consultants, the conference offers an important opportunity to strengthen their commitment to excellence by contributing new insights, learning from other experts, and building professional networks through thoughtful dialogue and connection.

Sebastian Floor presenting Psalms.

The 2025 theme encouraged meaningful dialogue around the ethical implications of the systems, practices, methods, and strategies represented in Bible translation. It also invited thoughtful consideration of issues such as respect, justice, and healthy collaboration in relation to the communities where this work takes place.

Throughout the conference sessions, presenters addressed a wide range of topics, including the increasingly relevant issue of the ethical and responsible use of AI in Bible translation. While advances in AI technology present exciting possibilities for accelerating and strengthening the work, they also raise understandable concerns. Chief among them is the irreplaceable role of human translators and the need to balance human discernment with machine input.

Dr. Freddy Boswell, former SIL Executive Director (2008-2016), currently a Senior Translation Consultant for SIL Global.

For SIL Global, our highest priority remains: honoring the dignity and well-being of the communities we serve. As SIL Director of Strategic Language Applications Greg Dekker states, concern for these communities “should be primary in our considerations about how we can best serve and work alongside [them].”